Congrats, you made it through Dry January without a drop of alcohol! But now you’d like to maintain Dry January into February. Maybe you’re now wondering where you go from here? Plenty of people report feeling much better after a month of abstinence. For example, their body might feel stronger and their head could be clearer. And they might have found energy that they’d lost. If this is you, and you’re wanting to keep it up, remember the benefits of continuing your sobriety. Be aware that you’ll probably hit a lull because the honeymoon phase is over. Prepare yourself for setbacks. And finally, prepare for the future.
How-to: Maintain Dry January into February: Keep the Momentum Going
Benefits of Dry February
There are plenty of benefits to reducing or cutting out alcohol completely. Both for your body and wallet. Maintain Dry January into February by focusing on the positives that you’ve been experiencing so far. Maybe you’ve been feeling more focused lately. Or found that it’s easier to think clearly about things. A lot of people are able to gain perspective on their drinking habits by cutting out alcohol for a short time. Your sleep might have improved as well. And your liver is definitely thanking you too! Alcohol can be costly, so you’ve probably been saving money as well. Not just on the drinks themselves but also on the bar tips, cab fare, other other related expenses. Keeping up your sobriety will just extend these benefits and make your body healthier.
The End of the Honeymoon Phase
If you’re wanting to maintain Dry January into February, be aware that the honeymoon phase might be over. Making a lifestyle change can be exciting at first. Plus you probably had other people around you that were joining in on Dry January. That excitement has faded by now. Try asking a friend to keep sober alongside you. Having a buddy can keep you motivated. Or find a new hobby to focus on like exercise so that when you want to drink, you focus on your new hobby instead. Establishing habits that don’t revolve around alcohol can be helpful as well. If you used to have a drink after work, instead of just temporarily not drinking, find a permanent activity to replace it.
Prepare for Setbacks
You will have setbacks if you’re trying to maintain Dry January into February. The biggest hurdle to overcome when staying sober is how to deal with setbacks. Stressful or emotional situations might make you want to drink more. Prepare ahead of time for these by having a plan of action for when they happen. Have a person you can turn to, or job to perform when you need a distraction. Keep motivational quotes or reminders handy. Set aside some sort of reward for yourself for when you overcome setbacks.
Where to Go from Here
If you want to maintain Dry January into February, why stop there? You can make a permanent lifestyle choice to not drink anymore. You’re already off to a great start, so keep up the momentum. Try an online support group, or in person if available, like Alcoholics Anonymous. Find friends that like to do activities that revolve around things other than alcohol. Try cutting out toxic relationships from your life. You can even start journaling. You’ll be able to look back one day, and be proud of yourself for making a healthy decision for you life.
You can maintain Dry January into February and beyond. Focus on the reason you stopped drinking in the first place. Remember all the positive changes it has had on your life. Try to prepare ahead of time for the end of the honeymoon phase. Remember that you will definitely have setbacks, so make a plan for those. And finally, think about where you’d like to go from here. Cutting out alcohol entirely will help you be healthier in the long run!
